BUDDHIST TOUR WITH TAJ MAHAL
Delhi – Agra - Varanasi – Sarnath- Bodhgaya – Rajgir – Nalanda – Patna - Vaishali – Kushinagar – Lumbini – Sarasvati – Lucknow – Delhi
Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi by flight. After clearing immigration and custom formalities, you will be meet and greet by our airport representative, traditional welcome garlanding. Transfer to hotel by AC transport. Upon arrival, check-in at hotel.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 02: Delhi – Agra – Delhi
Early morning breakfast, depart for Agra (205 Kms/04 Hrs). Agra was the capital of India under the Mughuls in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Afternoon visit Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.
The Taj Mahal, the mausoleum built by a sorrowing Shah Jehan in memory of his young wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Building's stupendous scale, flawless symmetry, translucent white marble and shimmering reflection in the water channel are truly breathtaking.
(Taj Mahal is closed on Friday).
Agra Fort, Built by Emperor Akbar, the maze of courtyards, mosques and private chambers of the fort echo the story of the Mughal Empire. The Moti Masjid and other magnificent buildings reflect the skill of the ancient Indian architects and artists.
Evening drive back to Delhi.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 03: Delhi - Varanasi By Flight
Morning after breakfast, transfer to Delhi airport to board fight for Varanasi. Upon arrival at Varanasi, transfer to hotel.
Varanasi - India's holiest and world's oldest living city popularly known as Kashi, Benares or Banaras, located on the sacred Ganges River.
After lunch visit one of four major pilgrimage destinations for Buddhists the place where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon to his five disciples after attaining enlightenment at Bodhgaya. Visit Dhamekh Stupa remarkable structure was built by Emperor Ashoka, Deer Park- The site of Buddha's first teachings and Archaeological Museum (Note: The museum at Sarnath is closed on Fridays).
In evening proceed to witness Aarti ceremony at the Dashashwamedh Ghat located at the banks of the holy River Ganga and near to Kashi Vishwanath Temple - Dedicated to Lord Shiva one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.
Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
Day 04: Varanasi – Sarnath – Bodhgaya (270 Kms/ 06 Hrs)
Early morning boat ride at river Ganges. Past drive BHU. Return to hotel. Post breakfast, drive to Bodhgaya. Upon arrival, check-in at hotel.
Evening visit Mahabodi Temple.
Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
Day 05: Bodhgaya
Morning after breakfast, proceed for full day tour of Bodhgaya. Visit Mahabodhi Temple - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Bodhi Tree where the Buddha attained enlightenment. Also visit Sujata Village- Girl Sujata offers the rice milk bowl to Buddha and ended Sakyamuni's hard asceticism. Later visits Burmese Temple, Thai Temple, Tibetan Monastery, Chinese Temple & many more International Monastery and Temple (closing Time 17:00) and 80 feet tall statue.
After Lunch visit to Dungeshwari Caves - Prince Siddhartha performed austere meditation for years and reduced himself to a skeleton. The location is very sacred among Buddhists as the site purified by lord himself through continuous meditation.
Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
Day 06: Bodhgaya - Rajgir – Nalanda – Patna
Morning after breakfast at hotel, drive to Rajgir. Upon arrival visit Gridhrakuta Hill also known as Vulture's peak, where Buddha was said to have rested after the day's preaching. Also visit Vishwa Shanti Stupa or World Peace Stupa was built by Japanese monk Fujii Guruji located at atop the Ratnagiri hills accessed by Chair Lift Aerial Ropeway. Visit Venuvana also known as Bamboo Grove was built by King Bimbisara.
After lunch at hotel, drive to Nalanda approx. 15 Kms / 30 minutes’ drive. Visit the ruins of Nalanda Mahavihara and oldest university of the World – a UNESCO World Heritage Site Renowned International Centre for Buddhist Studies. Also, visit Nalanda Museum collection of antiquities sculptures, inscription and stone images found from the excavated site. Late afternoon drive to Patna approx. 90 Kms/02 Hrs drive. Upon arrival in Patna, check-in at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
Day 07: Patna - Vaishali – Kushinagar (260 Kms/ 07 Hrs)
Morning after breakfast at hotel, drive to Kushinagar (approx. 260 kms/07 Hrs drive) - one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites where Gautam Buddha had Mahaparinirvana. En-route visiting Vaishali (50 Kms), Ashok Lion Pillar was built by Emperor Ashoka beside Ananda Stupa. Buddha's Relic Stupa was built by Lichchavis. World Peace Pagoda was built by Japanese monk Nipponzan Myhoji. En-route visit Kesariya Stupa -The largest Buddhist stupa in the world. Lunch at Local Restaurant later proceed to Kushinagar. Upon arrival in check-in at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
Day 08: Kushinagar – Lumbini (180 Kms / 05 Hrs)
Morning after breakfast, visit Mahaparinirvana Temple where Buddha took his last breathes. Inside the temple Reclining Buddha statue lying 6.1-meter-long. Rambhar Stupa is also known as Mukutbandhan-Chaitya cremation site of Lord Buddha 1.5 Kms from Nirvana Temple.
After lunch drive to Lumbini (180 Kms/05 Hrs) - UNESCO World Heritage Sites -The Birth Place of Lord Buddha. One of the holiest and significant places for Buddhists religions. Prince Siddhartha (Lord Buddha) was born on the full moon under a sal tree in the month of April. En-route stops at India/Nepal border for Visa/Immigration formalities (Ensure Double / Multiple Entry Visa for India). Upon arrival in Lumbini, check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
Day 09: Lumbini – Kapilvastu - Sravasti (200 Kms/ 06 Hrs)
Morning after breakfast, visit Mayadevi Temple dedicated to mother of Lord Buddha. Inside temple marked Stone pinpoints the exact birth spot. Also visit Ashoka Pillar was built by Emperor Ashoka. Puskarini Sacred Pond in which the prince was bathed after birth and international monasteries.
Early Lunch at hotel. Later drive to Kapilavastu – The Childhood Home of Gautam Buddha and spent 29 years of his life.
Later drive to Sravasti - capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala and holiest place for Buddhists the Buddha preached most of his sermons. They had performed many miracles during the monsoon. Arrive Sravasti and check-in at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
Day 10: Sravasti – Lucknow - Delhi (By Air)
Morning after breakfast, visit Saheth (Jetvanaram) where Buddha is said to have sheltered for 24 rainy seasons. Maheth (Angulimal Caves), Anathapindika House and Ananda Bodhi Tree also known as peepal tree.
After early lunch drive to Lucknow to board flight for Delhi.
Arrive Delhi airport and enjoy your dinner at local restaurant. Later drop at airport.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 11: Delhi / Departure
Morning after breakfast, later combined city tour of Old and New Delhi.
Old Delhi, built in the 17th century by Shah Jehan the Magnificent (who also built the Taj Mahal). First, we will be visiting the famous Jama Masjid mosque with its 9,000 sq. ft. courtyard, three domes and two minarets.
Then proceed to the massive complex known as the Red Fort (only for photo stop). (Red Fort is closed on Monday).
Later visit Raj Ghat the crimination ground of Mahatma Ghandi, Lakshmi Narayan Temple, a Spectacular structure that’s just 60 years old, India Gate – the war memorial, photo stop at Presidential Palace and Parliament House and then proceed via India Gate – the war memorial, photo stop at Presidential Palace and Parliament House.
Also visit Qutab Minar.
After dinner at local restaurant, you will be transferred to airport to board flight for onward destination.